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“A high school senior in Portland, Oregon, tries to prove that his new boss is a superhero in order to gain popularity at school. Victor Dela Cruz is a self-proclaimed nerd whose life revolves around superheroes. Bullied by the members of the football team, Victor is ashamed of being Filipino American, believing that brown skin is his kryptonite in his primarily white environment…Victor goes through a moving journey of self-discovery, learning to accept his true self and take pride in his Filipino heritage. Tanamor thoughtfully touches on assimilation, loss, grief, and feelings of being an outsider…An endearing story of identity and cultural pride.”

– Kirkus Reviews

The Legend of Sensei Tsinelas

Written by Jason Tanamor
Published by Ooligan Press

Between a tsinelas-wielding superhero, a major social studies project, and take-out boxes of adobo and lumpia, seventeen-year-old Filipino American Victor Dela Cruz isn’t sure how to get through high school without the help of a radioactive spider. Despite his attempts to assimilate into his mostly white Portland high school, Victor has always felt like an outsider. He likes to think high school is his superhero origin story, and all he needs now are some superpowers.

His very own supervillain, Clint Robertson, Cleveland High’s golden boy, and a major project about his ancestry make Victor wish he had the power of invisibility. But when he witnesses his boss at the food truck slinging his trusty tsinelas to stop a thief in his tracks, Victor sees his chance to find the acceptance he’s always craved. He believes he’s found a hometown superhero, and he plans to convince his peers that the owner of Filipino Feast is secretly an undercover vigilante.

Jason Tanamor’s poignant narrative is a testament to resilience, reminding us that true strength and pride are found in embracing the rich tapestry of our own identities.

Primary ISBN:
Publication Date: May 2025
Available As: Hardcover, eBook
Young Adult, Age 12 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (Portland OR)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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Jason Tanamor discusses The Legend of Sensei Tsinelas

Source: Ooligan Press